Sex difference in risk period for completed suicide following prior attempts: Korea National Suicide Survey (KNSS)

Objectives We provide an opportunity for implementing preventive interventions to decrease suicide mortality among prior suicide attempters. We aim to identify sex-specific high risk periods and factors for later suicide death among suicide attempters. Methods 8537 suicide attempters of Korea National Suicide Survey were collected from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011 and data on suicide death was obtained as of December 31, 2012. The risk period and risk factors for later suicide death was computed by Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and by plotting the hazard function using the Epanechnikov Kernal smoothing method and cox proportional hazard regression modeling. Results The hazard for later suicide death was significant up to 10 months for females and 20 months for males. Age 50–69 years (HR, 3.29; [CI: 1.80–6.02] and not being intoxicated with alcohol (HR, 1.94 [1.27–2.97])) in male attempters were significant risk factors for later suicide death. Conclusion Risk for later suicide death was significantly increased during the first full year following index attempts for all with an addition 8 months of risk for males, especially those of advanced age who were sober at the time of attempt.